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Germany - First case of West Nile virus infection in a horse detected

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  • Germany - First case of West Nile virus infection in a horse detected



    09/24/2018

    On 21.09.18 the first case of a West Nile virus infection in a horse was found in Germany. Evidence was provided by the National Reference Laboratory for West Nile Virus Infections (WNV) in FLI bird and horse. The dead animal comes from the district of Elbe-Elster (Brandenburg).

    Horses, like humans and birds, can be infected by virus-borne bloodsucking mosquitoes. The horse is considered as the human but as a so-called "dead end host", i. the virus does not multiply to the extent that it is sufficient for the further infection of mosquitoes. WNV-infected and diseased horses are therefore not at risk of infection.

    The majority of WNV-infected horses, similar to humans, develop no clinical symptoms. However, some animals respond with significant CNS deficits due to meningitis or encephalitis caused by WNV. Febrile diseases are rare. Central nervous disorders include stumbling, post paralysis, ataxia, generalized weakness, tremor, and paralysis until it becomes lodged. Although clinically ill horses can survive the infection, they suffer lifelong failure (neurological damage) in up to 20 percent of cases. In 22-44% of clinically ill horses, the disease can be fatal.

    There is no specific therapy for WNV infection, only symptomatic treatment is possible. As a preventive measure, three vaccines for use on horses are available in Germany, which are approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These include an inactivated whole virus vaccine as well as a recombinant live or a recombinant dead vaccine.


    In Europe, WNV first appeared in France in the early 1960s and has since established itself throughout the Mediterranean. WNV infections in humans and horses occur regularly, mainly from southern and southern European countries (France, Italy, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Spain, the Czech Republic).

    Due to the epidemiological situation, the occurrence of WNV in Germany is not surprising. So far, a hawk from Bad D?ben (Saxony), two bearded owls from Poing (Bavaria), a bearded owl from Halle and a hawk from Bernburg (both Saxony-Anhalt) as well as two snowy owls and a blackbird from Berlin have tested positive for WNV. Long-lasting high temperatures favor the virus multiplication in the mosquito. Therefore, other cases of WNV in birds and horses are not excluded.



    Brandenburg State - wikipedia

    ?Addressing chronic disease is an issue of human rights ? that must be our call to arms"
    Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief The Lancet

    ~~~~ Twitter:@GertvanderHoek ~~~ GertvanderHoek@gmail.com ~~~

  • #2
    West Nile Fever,
    Germany
    Information received on 25/09/2018 from Dr. Karin Schwabenbauer, Ministerial Dirigentin and Chief Veterinary Officer , Directorate of Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Bundesministerium f?r Ern?hrung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) , Bonn, Germany
    Summary
    Report type Immediate notification
    Date of start of the event 21/09/2018
    Date of confirmation of the event 24/09/2018
    Report date 25/09/2018
    Date submitted to OIE 25/09/2018
    Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease
    Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
    Causal agent West Nile virus
    Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
    This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
    New outbreaks (1)
    Outbreak 1 (18-416-00008) Plessa, Elbe-Elster, Brandenburg
    Date of start of the outbreak 21/09/2018
    Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    Epidemiological unit Farm
    Affected animals
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Equidae 12 1 0 1 0
    Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
    Total animals affected
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Equidae 12 1 0 1 0
    Outbreak statistics
    Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    Equidae 8.33% 0.00% 0.00% 8.33%
    *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
    Epidemiology
    Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
    • Unknown or inconclusive
    Control measures
    Measures applied
    • Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
    • Traceability
    • Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
    • Control of wildlife reservoirs
    • Selective killing and disposal
    • Control of vectors
    • Vector surveillance
    • Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists)
    • No treatment of affected animals
    Measures to be applied
    • No other measures
    Diagnostic test results
    Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
    Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (National laboratory) Equidae reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 24/09/2018 Positive
    Future Reporting
    The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
    ...
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

    Comment


    • #3
      West Nile Fever,
      Germany
      Information received on 10/10/2018 from Dr. Karin Schwabenbauer, Ministerial Dirigentin and Chief Veterinary Officer , Directorate of Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Bundesministerium f?r Ern?hrung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) , Bonn, Germany
      Summary
      Report type Follow-up report No. 4
      Date of start of the event 28/08/2018
      Date of confirmation of the event 29/08/2018
      Report date 09/10/2018
      Date submitted to OIE 10/10/2018
      Reason for notification First occurrence of a listed disease in the country
      Causal agent West Nile virus
      Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced)
      This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
      Related reports Immediate notification (30/08/2018)
      Follow-up report No. 1 (13/09/2018)
      Follow-up report No. 2 (25/09/2018)
      Follow-up report No. 3 (28/09/2018)
      Follow-up report No. 4 (09/10/2018)
      New outbreaks (1)
      Outbreak 1 (18-416-00011) Petersberg, Saalekreis, Sachsen-Anhalt
      Date of start of the outbreak 16/09/2018
      Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
      Epidemiological unit Farm
      Affected animals
      Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
      Equidae 8 1 0 0 0
      Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
      Total animals affected
      Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
      Equidae 8 1 0 0 0
      Outbreak statistics
      Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
      Equidae 12.50% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
      *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
      Epidemiology
      Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
      • Unknown or inconclusive
      Control measures
      Measures applied
      • Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
      • Traceability
      • Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
      • Control of wildlife reservoirs
      • Control of vectors
      • Vector surveillance
      • Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists)
      • No treatment of affected animals
      Measures to be applied
      • No other measures
      Diagnostic test results
      Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
      Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (National laboratory) Equidae antibody detection ELISA 02/10/2018 Positive
      Future Reporting
      The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
      ...
      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

      Comment

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